Five lines of Clojure code translate into 30 lines of Java: a function definition becomes a class definition, with state.

This idiom is powerful, but coming from Java, the power is hidden behind unusual syntax and terse notation. There are good reasons for both the syntax and the notation, but if you’re not used to either, it’s very easy to look at a page of Clojure code and be completely lost. Getting past this barrier by developing an intuitive feel for the language is a major challenge faced by teams transitioning to Clojure and Scala. One of the goals I have for my posts in this blog is help fellow developers along the way. It should be a fun ride.